Agu Ventura 130 Pannier

The Dutch know a thing or two about utility cycling and Agu’s 130 could be an ideal no-frills pannier for commuters in a hurry. However, it feels a little quaint and it's pricey considering what else is on offer for this kind of money.

Designed for rear use only, the twelve-litre capacity consists of a large main compartment with a drawstring rain/snow cover, front zippered pocket and relatively capacious mesh webbing to catch keys, cartons of milk and other overspill. The PU coated outer feels very thin and that feeling is amplified by omission of a solid internal base. However, brushes with brickwork and other casual neglect have made little impact, and the Agu has coped admirably with the weight of my New York chain and Evo disc lock, spare clothes, shoes, a family of plastic aliens, Lego and the other paraphernalia my six year old insists accompanies us on our tag-along outings.

Tested with and without bin liner, I am pleased to report the material resists fairly persistent showers but I wouldn’t describe it as waterproof. The smaller capacity provides excellent heel clearance and is a boon around town, especially when negotiating tight gaps in traffic. Vario hooks have the advantage of being faster on and off the bike than Klick Fix but lack the outright dependability-a consideration should your commute include bumpy towpaths. The reflective striping, whilst arguably effective in low light, has a slightly old fashioned flavour; the mandatory LED tab provides greater nocturnal security.

There’s a lot in the Ventura’s favour- it’s light, durable and user friendly. But considering that £45 can buy a twenty litre PU coated nylon unit with rigid base, welded, waterproof seams and ultra secure Klick Fix hardware, it's not the greatest in terms of value.

Verdict

Lovely to use but starting to show its age when compared with some of the latest models featuring waterproofing and welded seams for the same money.